Mug Swap 2013

Hello friends! It seems as though weekly blogs will be more likely than daily blogs. :/    <------my kermit the frog face. So lately I've been finding myself more invovled online through Instagram than any other social networking. I love Instagram. I love how creative people are through photographs and it's amazing that from a cell phone you can capture so many amazing things and memories. Plus, I think Instagram is pretty much the most drama free social network there is and I'm all about that right now in my life! I've connected with several people through Instagram that seem like they are really great and creative people and it's interesting to see their life in photos. I've talked on Facebook before that I have connected with my real life doppleganger on Instagram and we are still commenting and liking each other's photos.

Recently, a friend on Instagram posted about a mug swap that she had discovered and posted the details on how to be involved in it. Me not only being a coffee lover, but also a mug lover, I needed to be involved in this. A wonderful lady named Kim created a blog and started this mug swap three years ago though her blog at:

http://www.acuppakim.com/

This year she had almost 900 participants in the mug swap! Kim organizes the swap and assigns you a person to buy a mug for. The person sends Kim a little bio about themselves along with their address. She then dispurses the names/info out and she sends you a partner to buy a mug for. My person was named Andrea and she was from Missouri. She put her style was "Vintage Scandonavian". I wasn't sure what that was exactly, but it was so fun hunting for her. I also took a peek at her Instagram to get some ideas on her lifestyle, likes, etc. I found her a mug and included a little bracelet and card with a photo of the family. She posted in Instagram that she recieved it and she loved it! Today, I received my mug along with a TON of other goodies that my partner included in the package. 

On my bio sheet I put that I was currently obsessed over chevron and anything that had birds on it! My partner ended up being a sweet lady named Katie from Akron, OH and boy she really spoiled me! Inside the box was not only a very cute and unique mug, but chevron flip flops, notepad, scarf, stickers, Buckeye chocolates, coffee, nail polish (all colors I mentioned I was also currently into) and a package of Hello Kitty stationary for Julia. How sweet is that??? She doesn't know how much she was truly a blessing to me today. This box really came at the perfect time. Thank you Katie. 

If you are on Instagram look me up! I am under the profile saraliner. 

New Beginnings

Julia and Elijah 1st day of school 2013

I did not wake up this morning and think "Hey, I think I will create a new blog today!", but here I am sitting with my coffee and creative juices flowing! Hence the name of my new blog 

"CreativeChaosandCoffee.blogspot.com" 

 My life right now is about new beginnings. I am in a huge transition in my life. My youngest child, Julia has entered the world of education as a new Kindergartner. Her and my 7 year old son, Elijah are now in school full time. I've graduated from "Stay at home Mom" to "Not sure what I'm going to do now Mom". If I am honest I am feeling a little lost. Before having children I was a registered dental assistant and had a good start to a promising career. I really love the dental profession and educating the public. It has it's ups and downs like any career, but overall I was happy. After having Elijah I decided to stay at home and I am truly grateful for that, but in the 7 years I have not worked the progression of my field has passed me. The dental assisting field has really grown and they have added alot of extra credentials to the license and I am now not nearly as qualified as the other assistants out there. The office that I was employed at has always been very supportive of my decision to leave and has welcomed me to come back. I am working part time mainly as a receptionist and "floater assistant". It has been nice to be back, but part of me wishes I had kept up with my license and gained the extra credentials.

There is definitely a wind of change in my life. Some changes I am going through are positive ones. I think I am becoming a stronger person emotionally. Don't get me wrong..I still cry over the craziest things, but I do not let my emotions control me. Another change in my life is the free time I now have. At one point last year I had a commitment every single day or evening. I overcommitted myself and honestly I lost joy in the things I was doing. Right now, I am not committed to anything. Part of me is a little relieved at this. I feel I can breathe a little easier and I'm not stressed all the time. The other part of me is scared to death. I want to use my freedom in a good way, but I just don't know what that is yet.

So, to wrap of my first blog post on my new blog I would say that I'm not sure what my life has in store for me today, tomorrow, or even this year, but I do know it will involve alot of creativity, chaos....and of course coffee!